A VULNERABLE woman has described her shock at being duped by a rogue builder.

The conman overcharged the woman, aged 84, for poor quality work at her home in Mersea Road, Colchester.

After finding out an investigation had begun he sent an accomplice to pretend to be from Trading Standards and charged her for the fake investigation as well. She has been tricked out of £1,800.

Police have warned residents to be aware of both scams and the victim has spoken out to help others avoid the same fate.

She said: “I live on my own and when the first man came I wanted some work done and he said it would take two days.

“Three months later and it still wasn’t done. Then when we complained someone came back and got more money.

“I am incensed. I have been brought up to tell the truth and I feel awful. I will probably move.”

The woman, who we have agreed not to name, had a knock at her door by a man offering to do some work for her.

She wanted her fence to be replaced and was quoted £1,750 and paid a deposit. She was told it would take a couple of days.

Over the coming weeks the trader repeatedly returned asking for more money in advance.

In the end most of the money was paid in advance and three months later the work was still not completed.

When the work was supposedly completed the woman and her son were so unhappy they contacted Trading Standards.

An accomplice pretending to be a Trading Standards officer turned up and told her to pay a £140 fee for the investigation. She only had £60 and handed it over.

Police have released a description of the man who pretended to be from Trading Standards. He was in his sixties, walking with a stoop and had a weather-beaten face.

The victim’s son said: “The conman was coming back every day for more money before he started and he did a rubbish job.

“It is despicable. How can people stoop so low.”

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Colchester police on 101.